Self Employment Program (SEB)

A Program Of

 

The Self-Employment Benefit Program is funded through the Canada-Nova Scotia Labour Market Development Agreement under the direction of Employment Nova Scotia.

Every year, Grey Matter Development assists Nova Scotia entrepreneurs get their businesses off the ground. On behalf of Employment Nova Scotia we deliver the Self Employment Program.

• Are you ready to be your own boss?
  
• Do you have a well-developed idea for a new business?
  
• Are you currently receiving employment benefits?
  
  

If so, you may be eligible.
Halifax Herald Article on the Program
Self-Employment Application

The Self Employment Program provides:

1. Candidate completes a formal application/ assessment form containing information about the proposed business and their particular start-up needs.
   
2. Candidates eligibility will be determined by Employment Nova Scotia program officers.
   
3. Candidate makes a written commitment to undertake the elements of the program and start their own business.

Business Training:

The formal business start-up and business management education program is designed to improve the participant’s chances for success. It provides the fundamental business building blocks to effectively go through the process of starting a business. Experts are brought in from many fields to provide high quality learning for our participants.

Program Description:

Our Programs are tailored to the needs of the entrepreneur. All education is highly interactive and based on real-world experience. Topics for learning include:

1. Business development	10. Bookkeeping
2. Legal necessities	11. Negotiation skills
3. Preparing a business plan	12. Marketing your business
4. Time management	13. HR management
5. Tax issues	14. Risk management
6. Business communications	15. Customer service
7. Staying motivated	16. Business name/appearance
8. Sales and networking skills	17. Financing your business
9. Projections	18. Product pricing

Mentoring

While this mentoring will not replace or duplicate the formal and informal mentoring relationships that occur naturally in business, it provides a useful service in giving structured assistance to participants to help them develop and implement their business objectives. It gives them a perspective from outside their immediate community, someone who is neutral and objective to:

• relate training and developmental experiences meaningfully to their business and life goals;
  
• provide insights into different business approach
  
• provide participants with support through stressful transitions;
  
• improve the support environment;
  
• extend the professional network and reduce the sense of isolation that often comes with business;
  
• make the participant aware of, or provide the participant with resources necessary to succeed.

Financial Support:

Financial support is provided by Employment Nova Scotia by sustaining Employment Benefits of a participant of the Self Employment Program for the duration of the program. In most cases, revenue earned through the business does not need to be reported to Employment Nova Scotia. This support recognizes that creating a business and taking it to the point where it is self-sufficient takes time. Program participants will be advised as to their claim amount.